Waste & Recycling - Three Bin System

Increase in bin capacity, additional bins and amendments

The Town is actively working towards State Government waste reduction targets. Increases in bin capacity results in more waste and comes at an additional cost to the Town. A fortnightly collection of a 140L general waste bins and 240L recycling bins for local governments on the FOGO system is standard throughout the State.

Important changes coming 1 July 2026

At its April meeting, Council adopted new charges for some residential waste and recycling bins. These charges will be introduced through the 2026/2027 Annual Budget process.

These charges will affect residents who have a larger general waste bin (240L red lid bin) or recycling bin (360L yellow lid bin), or an additional general waste (140L red lid bin) or recycling bin (240L yellow lid bin). 

Annual service charges 

The following annual service charges will apply from 1 July. 

Larger capacity bins 

• 240L General waste bin: $310 per year
• 360L Recycling bin: $310 per year 

Additional bins 

• 140L General waste bin: $415 per year 
• 240L Recycling bin: $355 per year 

For residents who wish to apply for a larger or additional bin, a one-off assessment fee of $230 per application will apply to all new upgraded and additional bin requests to cover the administrative costs associated with assessing and approving applications. 

If you have a larger or additional bin and wish to swap your bin back to the standard size to avoid the new charges, please complete the form below by Wednesday 17 June. 

Bin capacity change form

Why these changes are being made

Larger and additional bins cost more to supply and service, including collection, transport, processing and disposal. Until now, larger waste and recycling bins have been provided at no charge. Additional bins have attracted a fee, however those fees have been reviewed and updated to better reflect the actual cost of providing the service. Charging for these bins ensures households pay for the level of service they receive and improves fairness across the community.

These changes have been introduced so the cost of larger and additional bins is met by households that choose to use them, and to support the responsible management of the Town’s waste services.

Advice to affected residents

Please be advised that during this transition period (until 1 July 2026), larger capacity bins will only be provided for medical reasons. Thank you for your patience. 

Council Report

To read the endorsed Council Report in full, click here

Medical exemptions

In circumstances where one or more members of the household suffers a medical condition that generates excess waste, a medical exemption can be applied. This allows the property to have their standard, 140L general waste bin swapped out with a larger, 240L general waste bin at no additional charge.

Eligibility: 

To receive a medical exemption for a larger bin, please contact your Doctor's office or medical specialist to request a letter of support. The letter should state:

• Resident's name
• Property address
• That due to medical reasons, the resident requires a larger bin

Forms can be emailed directly to the Town at admin@eastfremantle.wa.gov.au

FOGO

Due to FOGO material weight, we are unable to provide an increase in capacity for these bins. 

Who can I contact if my bin wasn't collected? 

For missed bin collections, please call Veolia on 9350 7189 

Damaged bins

If your bin is damaged, please complete and return the below form so we can repair or replace it for you. 

Damaged Bin Form - Repairs or Replacements

Missing bins

For more information on missing bins and to report a missing bin, please visit the below:

Missing Bin Form

New properties and demolitions

Please complete the below form for:

• If you've recently completed a new build and require a set of bins for your property. Please ensure you have submitted a BA7 (notice of completion) to receive your bins
• If your property is going to be demolished and you require removal of your bins (please submit the form prior to the demolition)

Please complete the below form

Residential Rubbish Request Form

Commercial / sporting club bins 

To amend your commercial or sporting club bin service, please complete the below form

Commercial / Community/ Sporting Clubs Rubbish Request Form 2025

What goes in my general waste bin? 

• Plastic items - e.g. straws, and soft plastics, bread tags 
• Polystyrene, Tetra Paks and long-life milk cartons
• Nappies and personal hygiene - e.g. sanitary items, cotton buds, toothbrushes and band aids 
• Coffee cups and bio plastic cups and plates / 'compostable' packaging 
• Soiled pizza boxes
• Baking paper
• Napkins, tissues and paper towels
• Tea bags 
• Damaged crockery, clothing, shoes and toys
  
  No household hazardous waste, no recyclables, and no medical waste. 

What can go in my FOGO bin (lime green lid)? 

Food and organic waste including: 

• Food waste - cooked & uncooked foods, fruit & veggie scraps, meat, seafood, bones, eggshells and dairy products
• Garden organics - including lawn clippings, branches, flowers, weeds and leaves 
• Coffee grounds and loose tea leaves 

How should I place waste into my FOGO bin?

This bin will be composted so it’s important to keep plastic and glass out of this bin.

All food waste is to go into your FOGO bin either in a compostable liner (AS 4736 certified) or loose in the bin. Please make sure food is removed from packaging before being placed in the bin as any plastic packaging can contaminate the compost.

For a full A-Z on what goes in each bin A-Z Waste Guide or refer to the Waste_Guide_2025-26_.pdf

Where can I purchase FOGO compost? 

FOGO compost can be purchased from the Fremantle Recycling Centre

• $5 per 25L bag. 

Where can I get FOGO kitchen caddy and compostable liners? 

Your kitchen caddy makes sorting your food organics in the kitchen simple.

Line your caddy with:

• Compostable liners
• or go nude!

Replenish your compostable caddy liners

Residents are eligible for two free packs of compostable liners per financial year, upon presentation of photo ID at the Town Hall, 135 Canning Highway.
Additional liners and kitchen caddies can be purchased from the Fremantle Recycling Centre, 19a Montreal Street, Fremantle. 

What is the difference between compostable bags and plastic bags?

Compostable = degrades in a natural biological process producing only carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass, with no visible or distinguishable toxic residue. Unlike plastic bags, compostable liners are made of organic fibers from corn and wheat, which break down much quicker than degradable and plastic bags. Other options to use in your FOGO bin other than compostable liners include newspaper or simply having your food waste lose in the FOGO bin.

Biodegradable - The term biodegradable doesn’t mean anything because everything is biodegradable eventually. The problem is, in Australia, regular plastic bags are being labeled ‘Biodegradable’. This misleads consumers to think these bags are made from plant matter and will return to nature which isn’t always the case. Unlike Australia in other countries, there is legislation to prevent the term “biodegradable” being used on products that do not break down naturally into the environment.

‘Degradable and OXO Degradable bags’ are made from normal plastic and have an ingredient which makes them break down faster. Plastic and degradable bags are made of petroleum and do not break down into organic material, instead, they break down into smaller particles of plastic.

How is my FOGO bin processed?

See how your FOGO waste is processed in the below video. 

  

What goes in my yellow recycling bin? 

• Paper - clean and no shredded paper or waxed paper 
• Plastic bottles and containers - rinsed and lids removed (anything smaller than a 50c piece should be disposed of in the general waste bin)
• Glass bottles and jars - rinsed and lids removed (anything smaller than a 50c piece should be disposed of in the general waste bin)
• Cans - e.g. steel and aluminium 
• Cardboard - flattened and clean
  
  All items should be clean, dry, and empty with lids removed and placed in the bin loosely.

  For a full A-Z on what goes in each bin visit the Recycle Right website or refer to the 2024-2025 Waste Guide 

What can't go in my recycling bin? 

• No meat trays
• No soiled pizza boxes 
• No soft plastics
• No bagged recycling
• No nappies
• No food or garden organics
• No paper towels, tissues, or napkins
• No baking paper
• No aerosols, gas bottles or electronic waste. Please dispose of these at the Fremantle Recycling Centre. For a full list of items visit Fremantle Recycling Centre - City of Fremantle

What waste materials can I recycle at the Town Hall?

Some waste materials can't be processed in kerbside bins because they contain hazardous materials or contaminate waste streams. The Town offers the collection of some specialist materials for residents. 

The Town Hall at 135 Canning Highway has a special collection drop off point for hard to recycle items for residents which include:

• Aerosols 
• Batteries
• Mobile Phones
• Ink Cartridges
• Plastic Bottle Caps
• Bread Tags 
• Light bulbs

*Please ensure items are separated by type, plastic bottle caps and bread tags are cleaned and take large quantities to the Fremantle Recycling Centre

Where can I take special recycling items?

Mattresses: 

• Soft Landing Mattress Recycling - call 1800 763 852 for home collection 
• Fremantle Recycle Centre (fees apply) - call 1300 693 736
• Bulk Waste Collection (refer to your waste guide)

Clothing and other household items

• Fremantle Recycle Centre
• Items can also be donated to charity

Medical waste

• Medical or biohazardous waste should never be put in any bin.
• Please check with your healthcare provider as to the correct method for disposal or visit Health Engine

Fremantle Recycling Centre

Residents of the Town of East Fremantle have access to the Fremantle Recycling Centre.

How to Drop off Bulk Waste and/or Recyclable Waste

Please ensure you have proof of identity, such as photographic ID or a driver’s licence with your address. If you're a new resident and your ID doesn't match your current address, simply bring along a utility bill alongside your ID for verification of residency.

Keep this letter safe; it will be stamped by staff when you drop off household bulk waste. Failure to produce this letter during bulk waste drop-offs, or if you've exhausted your allocated visits, may result in a fee for the waste disposal.

Opening Hours

• Fridays: 12pm - 4pm
• Saturdays/Sundays: 8am – 4pm
• Location: 19a Montreal Street, Fremantle (opposite the Fremantle Golf Course)

Important Reminders:

• Residents are entitled to four drop-offs of household bulk waste per year, and unlimited drop-offs of recyclable waste and garden waste (one trailer load of green waste per day).
• Staff will not accept any bulk waste without your recycling letter and proof of residence.
• Fees apply for mattress/base and tyres disposal.
• Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is limited to 20kg or 20 litres per item.
• Certain items such as building rubble, Hardy fencing, asbestos, sand, soil, and offcuts of wood will not be accepted.
• Commercial recycling, bulk waste, green waste, and HHW from commercial operators are not accepted.

Henderson Waste Recovery Park - Tip Pass Information

Residents of East Fremantle are provided with one tip pass attached to the annual rates notice, in addition to access to the Fremantle Recycling Centre.

This tip pass grants entry to the Henderson Waste Recovery Park, 48 Dalison Avenue. Wattleup. Please note, additional charges apply for the disposal of asbestos, mattresses, tyres, and Class II and III waste.

Waste Drop-off to Transfer Station (Cars, Trailers, and Utilities):

• Hours: 8am to 4pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
• Closed: Wednesdays, Good Friday, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day

For approved waste and operating times visit the Henderson Waste Recovery Park.